Monday Transfer Gossip

Having missed the weekend news, this is technically the Saturday, Sunday and Monday Transfer Gossip all rolled into one.

First off, Atletico Madrid have confirmed that they have reached a deal to purchase Diego Forlan from Villarreal on a four-year contract. The fee is believed to be in the region of £14.1million as reported by Sky Sports.

Sky also report that Argentine defender Lionel Scaloni has agreed to join Lazio on a free transfer, after his contract with Racing Santander came to an end.

Thiago Motta has confirmed that he would relish a move to the English Premiership after becoming surplus to requirements at Barcelona. Manchester City, Middlesborough and West Ham have all been linked with the player according to Sky.

Gabriel Milito has rejected claims that Barcelona have contacted him about a possible move to the Nou Camp as reported by Marca (Spanish Link).

Finally, Argentine online news network Infobae (Spanish link) report that rumours linking Atletico Madrid with a move for Juan Riquelme are unfounded, as the club are not convinced by the player's temprement, going as far to describe him as a "strange character". Riquelme is apparently very keen to make his move to Boca permanant and is pushing for Villarreal to release him for a nominal fee, although they obviously prefer to try and get the best possible price for the mecurial Argentine.